Like all other religions, Jains also celebrate their marriages with great enthusiasm. They also have a number of rituals before and after marriage, which are performed with utmost simplicity and sanctity. Though in Jain religion, marriage is considered a worldly affair, it is still highly advocated. In Jain wedding ceremony, a grand public proclamation is made with the intention of bride and groom to live together for their entire life. read on to know more about the wedding rituals of Jain marriage.

Pre Wedding Rituals
Lagana Lekhan is a small puja, held at the bride’s house. Here, an auspicious date and time for the wedding is decided by the priest. It is then sent to the groom’s house. The reading out of this letter by the priest, at the groom’s house is known as Lagna Patrika Vachan. This takes place after the Vinayakyantra puja is done by the groom. The Sagai takes place at the groom’s place, wherein a puja is conducted. The bride’s brother applies tika on the groom’s forehead and presents him with gifts like gold chain, clothes, sweets, token money etc.

The Lagan Patrika Vachan usually takes place after the Sagai ceremony. Next is the Mada Mandap ritual, which takes place at the bride’s as well as groom’s residence. All the rituals are performed by the priest. After this the Barati and Aarti ritual is held. On the arrival of the barat, the bride’s brother applies tika on the groom’s forehead and offers him gifts. The groom also applies tika on his brother-in-law’s forehead and gives him a coconut. Married women from the bride’s side perform traditional aarti and sing mangal geet.

Wedding Rituals
Phere are the most important ritual in the Jain wedding. The bride and the groom are seated in the mandap. The father of the bride performs Kanyadaan or Kanyavaran ritual. He places one rupee and twenty five paise and rice in her right hand and hands her to the bridegroom. While chanting mantras, the priest pours holy water on the hands of the couple thrice. This is followed by Granthi Bandhan, in which a married woman ties the knot between the bride’s sari and groom’s shawl.

After this the mangal pheras take place around the sacred fire. During the pheras mahaveerashtak strot is recited in the background while the ladies sing mangal geet. The couple also takes the seven vows after the pheras. After this, the bride is regarded as Vamangi, as she becomes the better of her husband. Next is the exchange of garlands between the couple. The havan finally concludes with Shantipath and Visarjan.

Post Wedding Rituals
After the wedding rituals are over the elders come forward to bless the newly wed couple for the forth coming marital life. This is known as Ashirvada ceremony. On the arrival of the couple to the groom’s house, the bride is given a warm welcome by her marital family. This ritual is called Sva Graha Aagamana. As an expression of gratitude, alms are given in the Jain temple. This is known as Jina Grahe Dhan Arpana tradition. Subsequently, a reception party is hosted by the groom’s family, in order to formally introduce the bride to family and friends.